_nav.html.haml

#mainnav.hidden-phone.hidden-tablet
  %ul
    - @nav_links.each do |link|
      %li{ :class => (controller_name == link[:name]) ? "active" : nil }
        - if controller_name == link[:name]
          %span{ :class => "current-arrow" }
        %a{:href => link[:path]}
          .icon
            %span.fs1{"aria-hidden" => "true", "data-icon" => link[:icon]}
          = link[:show_name]

application_controller.rb

  before_filter :navigation_links
  
  def navigation_links
    @nav_links = [
      { :path => admin_dashboard_path, :name => "dashboard", :icon => "", :show_name => "Dashboard" },
      { :path => admin_admins_path, :name => "admins", :icon => "", :show_name => "Admin" },
      { :path => admin_users_path, :name => "users", :icon => "", :show_name => "User" },
      { :path => admin_cases_path, :name => "cases", :icon => "", :show_name => "Cases" },
      { :path => admin_emails_path, :name => "emails", :icon => "", :show_name => "Emails" },
      { :path => admin_static_pages_path, :name => "static_pages", :icon => "", :show_name => "Static Page" },
      { :path => admin_dashboard_path, :name => "dashboard", :icon => "", :show_name => "Dashboard" },
    ]
  end